As of February 1, 2026, many COVID-era telehealth flexibilities have ended following a government shutdown caused by Congress failing to pass a funding resolution. For psychiatric and mental health care:

• CMS may temporarily hold Medicare telehealth claims during the shutdown, with retroactive payment later.
• The in-person visit waiver expired: new patients must have had an in-person visit within the past 6 months to start telehealth, and established Medicare patients must be seen in person at least once every 12 months (with limited documented exceptions).
• Audio-only telehealth for mental/behavioral health remains permanently allowed under Medicare.
• Telehealth location and geographic flexibilities for mental health services remain permanent, including care delivered in the home and in urban areas.

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